WHITTIER – Dr. Ralph S. Pacheco, the longest-standing member of the Whittier Union High School District Board of Trustees, has informally announced his retirement from the Board, culminating his 32 years of unwavering commitment and service to the District.

Dr. Pacheco, who currently serves as the Board Vice President, made the announcement to his colleagues and community members during an April 11 Board meeting. He will officially retire from the Board of Trustees effective July 7, 2023. His current term runs through November 2024.

“I want to take this moment to reflect on my 32 years of service to the Whittier Union High School District,” Dr. Pacheco said during the meeting via teleconference. “It has been an honor and privilege to serve alongside each of my colleagues during this time, and I am very humbled and grateful to have been elected by the community over all these years. I want to thank all those present this evening, as well as our dedicated teachers and staff, for their outstanding efforts in bringing out the best in our student body. I look forward to hearing about all of the success and achievements of our students and supporting the District as it continues to achieve and maintain excellence.”

Throughout his tenure, Dr. Pacheco has been an active member of the community, serving on many distinguished civic, college, and community service agency boards and commissions. He is also an ordained minister and co-founder of the Leadership Capacity Foundation, Inc., a nonprofit faith-based organization supporting community development and education projects in California.

Dr. Pacheco’s wife, Deborah, has also been active in education and served as an elected member of the South Whittier School District Board of Education from 2001 to 2022. Together, they have three children and nine grandchildren, all of whom attended the Whittier Union High School District.

During his time on the Board, Dr. Pacheco collaborated with five distinct superintendents and played an instrumental role in advocating for and passing three separate community bond measures to benefit the District.

Dr. Pacheco supported the District’s construction and modernization project, which began in 1998 when voters passed the $98 million Measure C bond, and continued with the $75 million Measure W bond in 2008. These bonds led to improvements to classrooms, libraries, gymnasiums, cafeterias, infrastructure and athletic facilities.

Subsequently, in 2020, Dr. Pacheco demonstrated his leadership abilities by steering the District toward the successful passage of the $183 million Measure AA bond, which was designed to augment the infrastructure of each of the District’s comprehensive high schools and also provide security enhancements.

“It has been an absolute pleasure to serve alongside Dr. Pacheco throughout these years,” Board President Jaime López said. “Dr. Pacheco has always put the needs of students first and I have always admired his dedication to the success of the District. We are grateful to have such a distinguished individual on the Board and will continue to advocate for student success every day, just as he did. Thank you, Dr. Pacheco.”

In addition to his service on the Board of Trustees, Dr. Pacheco served multiple terms as a Governing Board Member of the Tri-Cities Regional Occupational Program and as a formerly elected Trustee of the Río Hondo Community College District. He also taught as an Adjunct Professor of Biblical Studies at Regency Bible College.

“Dr. Pacheco’s unwavering commitment to the District and its students has been a hallmark of his tenure, and we extend our deepest gratitude for his years of expert service,” Superintendent Dr. Monica Oviedo said. “Whittier Union remains fully dedicated to doing Whatever It Takes to ensure the success of our students, and we will continue to build upon the outstanding work that Dr. Pacheco has accomplished during his tenure. He will be greatly missed as a member of the Board of Trustees, but we know he will continue to achieve great things upon his retirement.”

During the Whittier Union Board meeting on Tuesday, May 9 at 7 p.m., the Board and Oviedo will discuss their next course of action. The meeting will be held at the District Board Room located at 9401 S. Painter Ave., Whittier.

PHOTO CAPTION

WUHSD_PACHECO: Whittier Union Board Vice President Dr. Ralph S. Pacheco informally announced his retirement from the Board during an April 11 Board meeting. He will officially retire from the Board of Trustees effective July 7, 2023.